In Rawalpindi, woman allegedly snatches child

Two police stations squabble over jurisdiction

RAWALPINDI: A woman allegedly snatched a six-month-old child from a mother while offering rations and other necessary items in Rawalpindi.

The devastated family told the police that a woman was distributing rations at a slum near the Sabzi Mandi for three consecutive days.

On Friday, while distributing rations, she asked a woman to accompany her to her home where she would give her additional rations. The woman’s family agreed and allowed her to travel with the philanthropist in her car to get the supplies.

However, when they reached the Rehmanabad area, the philanthropist allegedly snatched the woman’s child, and pushed the mother out of the car and drove off.

Family and relatives of the child staged a protest on Murree Road demanding police take swift action for the recovery of the child.

However, an issue of jurisdiction erupted between the police of the twin cities. Rawalpindi police said that the crime began in Islamabad, hence action should be taken by the Islamabad Police.

Wah Cantt police station officials said they are investigating the matter and have started a search for the accused using footage from cameras of the Safe City project installed on Murree Road.

Action will be taken at the request of the victim's family.

A meeting of high-level officials was also held between Rawalpindi and the Islamabad Police last night to determine who will take the case on. Police of the twin cities said that the accused will be arrested after registering a case based on a unanimous decision in the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2020.